Sturisomatichthys Explained

Sturisomatichthys is a genus of armored catfishes native to Central and South America.

Species

There are currently 12 recognized species in this genus:[1]

Distribution and habitat

The genus Sturisomatichthys is distributed in the northwestern part of South America, on the Pacific and Atlantic slopes of the Andes. The species appear to occupy the same ecological niche as those in Sturisoma.

Description

Sexual dimorphism and reproductive biology of Sturisomatichthys similar to Sturisoma. Sturisomatichthys is distinguished from Sturisoma primarily by the absence of a rostrum. Only one species, S. citurensis, from Panama, seems to be significantly different from all congeneric species in having an abdominal plate cover consisting of small platelets without any particular organization. Other species may represent a species complex with a short snout as in the genus Farlowella with reference to the representatives of the F. curtirostra group. The weakness of this diagnostic feature could lead to the synonymy of Sturisomatichthys with Sturisoma.[3] Sturisomatichthys species grow to about 18- in length.

Notes and References

  1. Londoño-Burbano. Alejandro. Reis. Roberto E.. 2019-12-03. A Taxonomic Revision of Sturisomatichthys Isbrücker and Nijssen, 1979 (Loricariidae: Loricariinae), with Descriptions of Three New Species. Copeia. 107. 4. 764–806. 10.1643/CI-19-226. 208942757 . 0045-8511.
  2. Web site: CAS - Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes .
  3. The genera of the Neotropical armored catfish subfamily Loricariinae (Siluriformes: Loricariidae): a practical key and synopsis. Raphael. Covain. Fisch-Muller, Sonia . Zootaxa. 1462. 1–40. 2007. 10.11646/zootaxa.1462.1.1 .